Every Tuesday I try to post a tip of the day on my Instagram and Facebook pages. Last week, I posted a video about water and how it plays a major role in fat loss. We've all heard the usual comments on water from our mothers. "It's not good to be dehydrated!" "Drink enough water so you're healthy!" We've heard the other facts on how we can't survive but a few days without water too, but what do we know about water when it comes to fat loss?
For most of us, losing fat and/or maintaining a low body fat percentage is a part of the physique we're all working hard for. We know a bit about what we should be eating and how we should be training, but what about the things that get overlooked like sleep, hydration, and proper supplementation? It's not that we don't know that water is important for us, it's just that it gets overlooked in the shadows of the bigger things like training and nutrition. But today, we're bringing things to light and figure out how water can aid in getting us the physique we've always wanted.
As you've probably heard before, our bodies are comprised of mostly water. But did you know your food is about 70% water too? When we take in that food that's comprised of so much water, certain parts of our body are responsible for taking care of the nutrients properly.
One of the biggest reasons to drink plenty of water each day is to support your liver. Your liver is responsible for oxidizing and metabolizing fats. Staying hydrated will help your liver use the fat you have hanging around for energy! Here's the thing, though. Your liver has multiple functions and likes to help out when things aren't going well (when you're dehydrated). Your kidneys play a large roll in taking care of waste that our body doesn't need, but they can't do their job to the best of their ability if they're dehydrated. So, your liver comes to help out which means it can't focus on using that extra flab that you can't stand as energy. Not good.
Another big aspect of fat lost that people tend to forget about is muscle. Yes, muscle. The more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn at rest. Does this mean that you have to be some jacked, drugged out bodybuilder to get shredded? Absolutely not, building and gaining lean muscle tissue does not mean you'll look like them. But it DOES mean you'll have the physique you've always dreamed of that acts as an ever-functioning fat furnace. A properly hydrated body can shuttle nutrients to the muscles that we need for growth and recovery at an extremely efficient level. Blood flow to the muscles being worked during exercises is also extremely decreased while dehydrated. What's the point of working hard in the gym and eating right at the table if your body can't even properly adjust to the demands?
It's extremely important to stay hydrated for many reasons. In order to lose fat, our livers must be functioning properly, and our muscles must be fed well.
How much should you be drinking, though? I have all of my coaching clients aim to drink AT LEAST .55oz. of water per pound of body weight each day. And if you're not carrying a water bottle around now, you need to do it ASAP. Keeping track of you oz. with your bottle makes life a heck of a lot easier.
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